Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster unveiled
Mercedes-Benz and tuning arm AMG have finally unveiled the mighty Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster. The car is essentially a drop-top version of the stunning Gullwing SLS coupe, only now, it's even more stunning.
The sensual body consists of a clean slab that runs from front to back in one smooth line, with the rear elegantly dropping off like the original Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster of the Fifties. Meanwhile, the front showcases the current Mercedes-Benz design language in its finest form.
Under the bonnet sits the same 6.2-litre naturally-aspirated V8 as the SLS Gullwing coupe (the most powerful naturally-aspirated Mercedes-Benz production car engine ever made), offering 420kW of power and 650Nm of torque.
Mercedes-Benz says engineers spent a lot of time ensuring the chassis was rigid enough to provide the same handling characteristics as the Gullwing. Just 40kg of reinforcement was added to the overall weight (1661kg) of the car compared with the coupe, meaning acceleration from 0-100km/h is hardly hampered at all - 3.7 seconds.
Unlike the Gullwing, the Roadster does not feature those dramatic up-swinging 'Gullwing' doors. Instead, it features 'conventional' side-swinging doors. Other Roadster-only features include the Mercedes-Benz AIRSCARF system which gently blows warm air around the neck area to cut the chill out of driving in drop-top form.
Ola Källenius, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH, spoke about the car at its unveiling. He said,
"Systematic lightweight construction, outstanding performance and a breathtaking design combined with sensuous open-air driving pleasure - the new SLS AMG Roadster perfectly embodies the AMG philosophy of German engineering and craftsmanship.
"The Gullwing model has already thrilled sports car fans all over the world, and now the convertible version is bound to cause a sensation."
It sure will Ola, it sure will.
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